League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Measure E Maintaining Excellence Act 2004 Tax Wilmar Union School District Special Parcel Tax - 2/3 Approval Required 716 / 70.1% Yes votes ...... 305 / 29.9% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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| Results as of Mar 3 12:37am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (3/3) |
| Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||
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To keep school libraries open, maintain reading programs, computer and technology programs, smaller class sizes, music and art programs, and provide for necessary educational programs and materials, to the extent such funds are available, shall the Wilmar Union School District be authorized to levy an annual parcel tax of $45 for four years, beginning July 1, 2004, with annual citizens' oversight committe audits, exempting parcels owned and occupied by persons 65 years of age or more?
This measure proposes a special tax of $45 per year per parcel for each parcel of land within the District's boundaries. The tax would be based on the privilege of using the parcel, would begin on July 1, 2004, and would remain in effect for no more than four years. Proceeds of the tax could only be used for purposes set out in the measure, which include keeping school libraries open, reducing class size, maintaining reading and computer and technology programs, maintaining or restoring art and music programs, providing child counseling services, and providing other educational programs and materials.. If the tax is approved, the school board must create a special, separate account to be established for deposit of the proceeds of the tax. A citizens' oversight committee shall be appointed by the school board to review the budgeting of the special tax revenue, and to annually review an audit of the special tax funds and expenditures. The annual audit shall include a report of the amount received and expended from the tax for each year, and the status of any projects, and description of any programs, funded from the proceeds of the tax. The tax would be applied to each unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for property taxes. Parcels which are exempt from property tax, or on which no property tax is otherwise levied, are also exempt from this tax. The measure also exempts from the tax parcels owned or partially owned and occupied by a person who will be 65 years of age or older on or before May 1 of the year for which the tax is assessed. Persons claiming exemptions based on ownership by a senior citizen would need to apply to the District for this exemption the first year it applied to them. The measure describes what steps must be followed to appeal any decision regarding exemption, and apply for a refund of the tax, if appropriate. If two-thirds of the voters in the Wilmar Union School District who vote on this measure vote "yes," the measure will pass and the special tax will be levied. The tax would be collected in the same manner as regular property taxes starting with the 2004-2005 fiscal year.
STEVEN WOODSIDE, County Counsel
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News and Analysis The Petaluma Argus Courier
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| Arguments For Measure E | Arguments Against Measure E | ||
| Measure E will allow the Wilmar Union School District to maintain important educational programs that are essential to our students' educational success. Severe state cuts to our local school district are affecting our neighborhood school. Measure E is a local plan for our local school. Every penny from Measure E will stay here, in our local classrooms.
Measure E will ensure that our children have access to intensive reading and literacy programs. Measure E will also allow us to keep our school library open and retain the music programs that enrich the quality of education our students receive. Measure E will allow Wilson School in the Wilmar Union School District to "avoid" class-size increase--giving the attention and quality instruction students deserve. It will ensure that students maintain access to the computer and technology programs that are important for students to succeed. There are taxpayer safeguards within Measure E. An Independent Citizens Oversight Committee will conduct annual audits to ensure Measure E funds are used wisely. Every Measure E dollar will be spent on students, not on administration or salaries. Senior citizens aged 65 and above are offered an exemption from Measure E. Please join local teachers, firefighters, police officers, students, faculty, business owners, retirees and community leaders on voting "Yes" on Measure E. Let us give the children of Wilson School the quality programs they need to succeed in life.
s/ Rachel Farrara
s/ Jerry Schwartz, Former Owner
s/ Jim Eckhoff, Captain
s/ Paul Lounibos
NO REBUTTAL TO
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE E WAS SUBMITTED | Wise counsel dictates that when you have dug yourself into a hole--stop digging. Facing a statewide financial crisis, it is time to stop spending and tighten our belts. As painful as this can sometimes be, there can be benefits. When we are forced to live within our means, we will choose to spend on those programs we collectively deem most valuable and delay programs of lesser value. We make no judgments about the merits of the programs proposed by the District, although we do suggest that the case for more spending has not been adequately made and there are no guarantees that the money raised from the parcel tax will be dedicated to the uses the District has indicated. We urge you to take a good look at your current property tax bill's special assessments and add the requested parcel tax. Then, ask yourself, is this the right time for the District to ask me for more money? We already paid our share of taxes, but where did the money go? The state's financial crisis has made it imperative for all areas of government to rethink how money is spent, especially education which represents nearly 40 percent of California's budget. We urge you to send a strong message to the District's board and management to rethink how existing funds will be spent by voting No on this Measure.
SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION
s/Spencer Flournoy, President
The Wilmar Union School district has undergone tremendous budget cuts. The belt has been tightened and there is no more "fat" to trim--we are now forced to eliminate the "basics." Core reading and technology programs are on the cutting board and many more will threatened unless we find a local answer to our education-funding problem. Measure E will allow our school to keep the library open, restore intensive reading and literacy programs and give our children access to music and art programs that are so important to an early education. None of Measure E funds will be used for administrative salaries--all funds will go directly into our classrooms. A Citizens Oversight Committee will conduct annual audits to ensure Measure E funds are used wisely. In addition, our senior citizens age 65 or above, can apply for an exemption to Measure E. Our Community is a terrific place to live and raise a family. Slashing elementary school programs will put that at risk. Please join our local classroom teachers, parents, businesspeople, senior citizens and community leaders in voting Yes on Measure E.
s/ Albert Evenrich
s/ Jerome Schwartz
s/ Rachel D. Farrara
s/ James Eckhoff, Captain
s/ Paul A. Lounibos
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Created: May 4, 2004 14:47 PDT
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